The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo Book 3)

After reading previous books, it 'itches' to wait until the new release. Once you have it, you're read it without break. R. Riordan's books take you into his world so you forget everything. Now it itches again, waiting for the sequel.

This story made me cry and laugh.
An amazing series that is leaving me wondering what will happen next. I couldn't stop reading this book and was shocked when I realized how long I must wait until the next book is out.

Rick Riordan did it again, publishing a great book. That is full of mystery, magic, intrigue, and ensuring there are plenty of funny spots in the book. If you liked the Percy Jackson series this is a series for you.

It was a good book, it has the Riordan style that captivates you like most of his work. The only downside that there were time where it felt like it was a bit of a slow burner but didn't last long enough to be an issue.

Rick Riordan did it again, publishing a great book. That is full of mystery, magic, intrigue, and ensuring there are plenty of funny spots in the book. If you liked the Percy Jackson series this is a series for you.

Remember how the third book of Riordan's previous trilogy in this world, Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus, had a really harrowing ending? Um, yeah.

I can only trust Riordan to see that it all works out in the end.

As this series goes on, it makes Riodan's biggest weakness all the more glaring. His books are incredibly formulaic. Usually you can become easily distracted from this by the interesting characters, interesting villains, well-written action scenes, and the simple pleasure of learning more about mythology. However, we're now to the point where it's the exact same story playing out, with only some names shuffled around here and there.

Apollo has received an overly specific prophecy telling him exactly where to go and what to do. He meets a strange group of people; outcasts, young persons, plants. They initially have high hopes for him because he was a god, but those hopes are crushed by his ineptitude. He saves the day anyway by defeating an emperor with the help of a main character or two from the previous series. He receives a new, overly specific prophecy. Meg is there too. The end.

The main character death in this book felt like it was only there for shock value. It wasn't even particularly shocking, considering the book literally tells you it's going to happen quite early in. Hell, that main character gets hardly any screen time in this book. If I hadn't read the Heroes of Olympus series, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to care about them at all.

Nothing new happens in this book. Most anything that could be considered new character development happens off camera, and it's all bad-soap-opera-style. Tragedy for the sake of tragedy.

Read the sparknotes, not the book. You'd probably be more engaged that way.

My review is that Rock Riordan is THE BEST AUTHOR EVER!! I cannot, CANNOT, wait for TYRANT'S TOMB!!!!! I hope he make even MORE series because I'm reading sooooooo fast that I'm running out!! And rereading!! It's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS.I would highly recomend this book.I have read the Percy Jackson,Magnus Chase,The DG(demi god) diaries,and DG & magicians but none of them (besides Percy jackson) have ever been this good.RR explains how Meg and Apollo go thru the burning maze with{spoiler} caligulas shoes that lead them thru the burning maze.{spoiler} and then Jason Grace dies when caligula stabs him repeatedly on the back with a spear.{spoiler} then Megs father makes a place that he was supposed to plant ash trees thet grew into very powerful Dryads that even scared caligula.Thanks for reading my review. ©--]--<

i feel so soo sooo happy that apollo is changing during the book. i feel like experiencing the change with him and supporting him along the way. this is by far the most action packed and tragic of the toa series. really, really enjoyed this book. i was sad to see that jason sacrificed himself for the quest of apollo and meg, but all heroes have their endings. jason died a hero and that-- we will not forget.

Summary:

Once the god Apollo, now a pimply mortal youth named Lester, is trying to restore the oracles that have gone dark and thus get back to Olympus. With two down, he has three to go and time is of the essence. California is dealing with far more than the usual draughts. Wildfires are springing up everywhere and nature- along with their spirits-are dying off. Underground, part of the labyrinth has become evil- more dangerous, with fires coming out of no where.

With the help of his demigod friends Apollo must stop the fires, rescue the oracle, beat a sorceress, fend off attack from a crazed talking horse and his crazier emperor while making time to steal shoes. Fun times….

My thoughts:

Alright, I will say it. This is not the best series ever…. it isn’t even Riordan’s best series. The lead character, Apollo/Lester, is fair worthless in combat and constantly looking toward someone to save his ass instead of exercising and trying to actually learn combat. All these characters that I learned to love in his other (*read: better*) series are falling all over themselves to protect him. His weapon, an arrow that can only talk to him- and then only in Shakespearean English- is far often more annoying than useful. I mean it gives him info and, when shot, seems to help with accuracy…. but it whines about it even more than Lester! When compared to Percy’s sword, Magnus’s Jack, or even Meg’s scythes… it’s pretty pathetic.

So what keeps me coming back for more? For starters, I adore the supporting characters. Twelve year old Meg is awesome, loyal, and often funny. I also like the fact that I can see characters from the other series’ that I loved. Being able to actually see what happened with Grover, Leo and the others is a huge draw for me. Also, the more time Lester spends as a mortal the less annoying he is. He is beginning to show real character growth, honest regard for others, guilt. In short he is becoming a decent human being. I have enjoyed watching the process. While I do wish he would get a bit better at fighting, this is enough to keep me buying the books. My advice, read all the other series’ first- this includes Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard and the Kane Chronicles even though they don’t play into this series. They’re simply better. For me, this is a three star book.

On the adult content scale, there’s language and violence but nothing over the top. This book is geared toward young readers. Let’s give it a two.

Rick was right to dedicate this book to the Muse of Tragedy because WOW this book doesn't hold any punches. Throughout the HoO series, Riordan began to garner a reputation that all his characters were safe. It seemed like there were no dire consequences to the MCs actions. Welp...not anymore! TBM gutted me. It's the first time I've ever cried reading one of his books. I'm not going to spoil who dies, but you won't expect it. Well, maybe you will because it is hinted at, but you still won't be ready for it. I went through all five stages of grief in the course of two days. Rick owes me compensation for emotional distress. This is hands down the best book in the series. Apollo continues to flourish as a character. Jason and Piper are back and just as awesome. But Piper really shines in this book. She gains a new weapon, too. I just loved her in this book. She has to be my top favorite female character in the series. Bring some tissues when you start reading because you're gonna need it. This entire book, setting, and tone, just carries a sense of despair. No one is safe and I'm truly terrified. I can't wait until May, 2019.

I. LOVE. RICK. RIORDAN. Every time I read one of his books, I vow to be more critical and resist giving him yet another high-star review. I don't know why I do this. He never disappoints me. I am always entertained and even moved.

Like I did with all his titles, I listened to this one's audiobook. The narrator for Apollo is downright hilarious, and it helps that he (the character as portrayed by the voice actor) reminds me a lot of one of my friends. But also, it must be so fun to write these books, because the jokes are super clever and funny. I definitely guffawed a few times on the subway while listening!

Apollo starts this series as very cocky, out of touch with reality, the opposite of empathetic, and vain. As the story goes on, he begins to shed those labels piece by piece. By the end of this book, he is really starting to be a likable character with a big heart. Bad timing for him, because the emotional depth of the story is growing, too. This book was heart-wrenching for those who've read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and then the Heroes of Olympus series. Yes, the series is better for it, but come on, Rick. Why must you do this to us???

Adults and children alike should have this one on their lists.

I won't mention the character who died's name, but I dont think hes permanently dead because in blood of Olympus it says ___ had a vision of when he was an adult, although im not sure if im right. awesome book though.

While there have been many parts of Riordan’s books that have been sad for me, I recognize that’s part of the storytelling. What upset me most though was that the two CHB characters and their story just felt like a toss away. After the Heroes of Olympus series, we’ve become so invested in the 7, and this felt wrong. So much has happened, and Riordan just threw the characters into the middle of it without giving them their due course.

I've read comments about how this one is darker, Honestly I thought it was great and dealt with issues that occur to many around the world. the humor balanced the dark parts but overall it was a great story and it left me wanting more. I've read all of the series and love what has been transpiring in them. The Magnus chase series was amazing and I love what is happening with the trials of Apollo the cameos are great and well thought out. I cant wait for the fourth one I need to know what happens. Now I sit and wait like an addict waiting for the next fix.

I thought this would be a trilogy but when I realized it wasn't, I felt better. Though Jason wasn't my favorite, it was devastating when he was killed. (I would fight uncle Rick if he kills off Percy) Still it was shocking. I don't think Jason would return from the dead. That wouldn't be persuasive, considering that the doors of death are closed and making another physician's cure would take up another book. Hades isn't lenient about letting ppl return from the dead. Maybe Piper dies in the next book and meets Jason, or she becomes a solo.

In the third book of The Trials Of Apollo, Lester (a.k.a. Apollo), Meg McCaffery, and satyr Grover Underwood must embark on a dangerous journey into the Labyrinth to find the next oracle, Herophile.

First, they meet Coach Gleeson Hedge and his wife, Mellie. After that, they stay with some dryads (tree nymphs) named Prickly Pear, Aloe Vera, and Josh.

The next day, they visit Piper McLean's house to tell her about their quest and their missing friend, Leo Valdez. Piper borrows her dad's friend's Cadillac Escalade and drive over to some boys school to pick up Jason Grace.

But before they recruited Jason, they met the sorceress Medea, who was planning to extract Apollo's godly essence and use it to wake up Medea's grandpa, Helios.

Luckily, they defeated her and decided to invade Caligula's ships, and there's a lot. Somehow, they manage to get
through all that, but they end up losing Jason in return.

The rest of the crew are forced to drive back. In the labyrinth, they had to solve word puzzles and whatnot, and they finally saved the Sibyl.

My Final Score: 5/5

It was okay. I had to put the book down every now and again because most of the dialogue was boring. I was disappointed with a certain character's death since he/she was my favorite but I guess it made the death more important to the reader.

first of all great book but it seemed a bit short on action and a lot of fans of all the books have said the death of the character that will go unnamed was a bit unnecessary but I mean who knows what could happen other heros have come back so maybe this hero will to so fingers crossed.Also its hard to belive that Rick is almost done with all of this type of writing so I hope that he continues with some other series that kind of ties in with the characters that we already know and love so stay hopeful.BYE:)

I understand the whole "you have to kill your darlings" thing, but did it have to be that darling. I mean really?! This series really hasn't held my interest like the others, and now I am not sure I care to finish it.

This series has been so achingly good and this story is more of the same. As Percy's fans age and develop, this book seems especially appropriate. The pain and loss are poignant and help push Lester and readers into new understandings of relationships, trust, and the power of courage.

It’s dark because an important character does die, and I cried but I loved the humor and I love the characters! I do miss the others though! Overall, it’s an ammazing book and I recommend buying it!

Another disappointment by Riordan in that he seems to be writing books to push a secular agenda. He apparently has become a champion of liberal thinking between the gay references and other factors - hundreds of tiny elements, for example: he can't even bring himself to call this year 2018AD it has to be 2018CE. It is unfortunate because the Percy Jackson series was really good, then I guess he felt compelled to go for the fringe (the 2% of the gay/lesbian community according to the worldwide statistics) because he had nothing left for the normal reader.

This is reminiscent of the shock jock who has lost all creativity and keeps going for more and more offensive material, because that is all he has left. Riordan is out of ideas and his stories have become predictable and boring. While I used to recommend them to young readers, now we laugh and joke about it - to stay away as Riordan reaches a new low.

Yes, yes, to all the critics who berate me for my Christian values and have a little hissy-fit whenever anybody says they don't like reading about gay love affairs, or all the gay lovers that a character has had in the past, etc. - I have my opinion and stand by it. If you don't like my review, go write your own - but don't try to restrict my freedom of speech because you don't agree with it. I won't go criticize you for your belief - so don't criticize mine.

Really? He had to fall into the trap of “political agenda” kinda lame... Rick Riordan was a staple name of a good book in our house, but not anymore... and that wasn’t my choice my kids don’t want to be reading about transgender etc.... just stop

I have always been a big fan of Jason Grace son of Jupitor but I hate that Rick Roriden killd him. The book was very good but it was very sad andmade you hate Rick a little after thinking about how Piper felt.

Can't wait for the next one! I teach 8th graders and I try to read some of the books that they are. These books are so well-written it does not matter that I am so much older than the target audience. I finished this book and then lent it to one of my students so we could discuss it. When I was a middle school student, I loved studying the Greek gods. Rick Riordan has reignited that love with his many series of books.

Apollo is still on his quest to take down the Roman Emperors, this time he's after Caligula. Tears are shed, good friends are laid low, and he has to rescue an Oracle from the maze before he is killed and his God essence is drained from him making a potion for Caligula to become the new sun god. It's really good but tears will be shed as his best friends all are scattered to the winds.

This is Mr. Riordans BEST book yet in the mythoverse he has so beautifully crafted. Mr. Riordan takes his time developing his characters and therefore I always believed, two of the heroes who appear in this book would eventually flourish into the respected heroes they deserve to be; unfortunately it happens at the cost of a life. Honestly, its such a bittersweet ending. This book is darker than his more lighthearted books. I think he is seeing his readers grow and therefore his stories and characters growing with them. Looking forward to book 4. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the heroes help Apollo (Lester) on his quest. Looking forward to seeing Piper find clarity, Jason getting justice, For Meg getting redemption and every other character that the emperors have tried to destroy and/or eliminated from their path to godliness.

And as for book 4...due to his hint from the river Styx, I expect more deaths will come, I just hope Apollo will remember his promise.

For those who plan on reading this book, have tissues ready because this gets REAL!

Now I will go back and read "Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero" to remember better days.

I finished the 2nd book in this series quickly and because I had not read that book right when it came out I was lucky enough to be able to find that the 3rd book was now available so I jumped right into this book as well. This series has been a great one to read. Even as an adult I find that it is a series that I love to read as the characters are strong and with each book you learn a bit more and you see each of them going on a journey of their own with the help of friends along the way. This book finds Meg, Apollo and Grover having to get through the Maze to meet up with and challenge the 3rd Emperor (who is supposed to be the worst of the three). They also have a journey to rescue another oracle. This book is filled with drama, action and adventure, but you will also find that the story is also filled with great moments of figuring out what friendship means and what the characters will do and endure to reach their goals. If you have never read this series, it is a must read. Also, I can honestly say I am sitting on pins and needles waiting to see what will happen next!

Holy Apollo, this book is good! Truth be told, it has a darker hue than the previous "Trials of Apollo" books, but the reappearence of severl loved characters helps lighten the mood a bit. BE WARNED, Rick tears the feels to shreds with the incredibly sad major death; I found myself crying as I read that melancholy chapter, as many loyal fans undoubtedly did. A must-read for both newcomers and fans of his previous works, Riordan does it again with the third installment of "The Trials of Apollo", "The Burning Maze"!

It was a good book, it has the Riordan style that captivates you like most of his work. The only downside that there were time where it felt like it was a bit of a slow burner but didn't last long enough to be an issue.